There’s nothing better than when food can be both delicious and healthy. It’s always a nice bonus when what you’re craving also ends up being hugely beneficial to your body. And luckily, Alaskan king crab is exactly that: mouthwateringly delicious and insanely good for you.
We’re guessing you already knew about the delicious part, so let’s focus on the good for you part. Here are five qualities of Alaskan king crab that can help improve your health:
Low in Fat, High in Protein
The nutritional profile of king crab is ideal for healthy living. Not only is crab meat low in fat and calories, but it’s high in protein — meaning it keeps you fuller, longer. For instance, a 3-ounce portion contains only 1 gram of fat and 82 calories, but 16 grams of protein. Since the average recommendation for a sedentary adult is only 56 and 46 grams for men and women respectively, that puts you well on your way to meeting your daily protein requirements. Plus, the high-quality protein of crab meat is great for repairing and rebuilding muscles, so health and fitness gurus should grab a claw cracker and get to work.
Contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Like other seafood, king crab contains omega-3 fatty acids, or “good fats,” which have a wide variety of benefits for your health and well-being. That means that, among other benefits, eating Alaskan king crab can reduce inflammation in your body, strengthen your heart health and ward off chronic illness.
Rich in Zinc, Copper and Selenium
Alaskan king crab is packed with micronutrients like zinc, copper and selenium. In addition to boosting your energy levels, this trio helps keep your immune system strong and support healthy bone mass, while also aiding in collagen production and iron absorption. These minerals also support brain health and cognition, as well as circulation and healing after an injury.
High in Vitamin B12
The most prevalent vitamin in Alaskan king crab is vitamin B12, which works to keep your body’s nerves and blood cells healthy. Since red blood cells help transport oxygen throughout your body, having enough vitamin B12 is extra important for keeping your energy levels up. People with a B12 deficiency are often anemic, which can leave you weak, breathless and dizzy. However, with just three ounces of king crab, you’ll receive more than 160 percent of your daily recommended B12.
Contains Phosphorous
Eating king crab meat could also be helping to detoxify your body. The levels of phosphorous found in crab support the functions of your kidneys and liver, which help remove toxins from your body.
With this nutritional profile in mind, it’s not hard to see why Alaskan king crab is both super delicious and — we’ll say it — a bit of a super food. And while some of the low-calorie benefits may quickly be negated by dipping your claw meat in melted butter, the point stands: eating Alaskan king crab is healthy for you, and that’s good enough for us.
